Why Diabetes is a sweet poison in your life?
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease which occurs if glucose in your blood, known as blood sugar, is very high. Glucose is the main source of energy and our body derives it from the food that we eat.
What is glucose?
Glucose derives its name from the Greek word ‘glukus’ which means ‘sweet’. It is a type of sugar that we get from our foods. As glucose comes into our body, it makes its journey to cells through our bloodstream. This is why we hear phrases like ‘blood glucose’ or ‘blood sugar’.
How Glucose goes to cells?
Glucose goes into our cells from food because of insulin, a hormone which is produced by pancreas. Insulin moves glucose from our blood to cells for energy and storage. Once glucose reaches our cells it is used by cells for energy.
When Glucose becomes a problem?
Sometimes our body fails to produce any insulin or enough insulin. Or, even sometimes our body does not use insulin properly. Because of this, glucose starts accumulating in our blood as it does not reach our cells. Eventually, this leads to diabetes.
Types of Diabetes:
The most common types of Diabetes are:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Gestational diabetes
Type 1 diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas in your body makes very little or no insulin. Normally, children and young adults are prone to Type 1 diabetes.
Causes of Type 1 diabetes:
One very astounding cause, among others, of Type 1 diabetes is that your immune system, which otherwise fights off bacteria and virus, mistakenly begins attacking your own cells. Yes, your own immune system starts attacking and destroying the cells of pancreas which make insulin. Other causes of Type 1 diabetes might be genetics, exposure to viruses or environmental causes.
In Type 1 diabetes as there is no insulin which helps glucose in your bloodstream enter cells, so sugar starts building up. This eventually gives rise to many complications and hence it can be life threatening.
Type 2 diabetes:
People suffering from type 2 diabetes though make some insulin but their body cells fail to use it properly. Type 2 diabetes results in because of two interrelated problems in your body. One, your pancreas does not produce enough insulin and second, your body cells respond very poorly to insulin.
Causes of type 2 diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes is caused due to a series of events in your body. It starts with your body becoming resistant to insulin and not using insulin efficiently. As a result pancreas has to work harder than before. This can damage cells in your pancreas and ultimately pancreas may fail to produce any insulin at all. This is why glucose starts building up in your bloodstream.
Gestational diabetes:
Gestational diabetes occurs in women who are pregnant. Normally, this type of diabetes does not continue once the baby is born. But gestational diabetes can lead to other types of diabetes as well.
The above list is not all inclusive and there can be some other types of diabetes also.
Diabetes related complications?
If you are suffering from diabetes and if it is not checked, then it may lead to some other health related issues like-
Kidney disease
heart disease
nerve-related problems
eye problems
high pressure and rise in cholesterol level
gum disease
skin disease
erectile dysfunction
(The content of this article is for informational purpose only. It cannot be a substitute for advice from a medical practitioner. Read DISCLAIMER for more…)
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